Major League Baseball has a hefty 12-game main slate on the board Friday night, which should be an awesome fantasy baseball slate to get Rivalry Weekend underway. While there are definitely plenty of big-name stars available that make sense to build your fantasy lineups around, some strong MLB DFS Value Picks can help balance out your spending and still offer good upside and potential production. These options offer significant salary cap savings while still offering strong upside. The main slate starts at 7:10 p.m. ET, so be sure to get your lineups locked in!

The weather looks clear for the most part on Friday. Dodger Stadium looks like an especially good spot for offense with warm temperatures and the wind blowing out. Cleveland will be almost 20 degrees cooler with the wind blowing in, so that could be a good spot to lean into pitching rather than offense.

Let’s dive in and take a look at a few of the best value plays from the 12 teams in the player pool this Monday night.

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Best MLB DFS value plays

SP Sean Burke, Chicago White Sox vs. Chicago Cubs, $6,300

In the latest edition of the Windy City Showdown, the Cubs will visit Rate Field this Friday to take on Burke and the White Sox. Burke had a rough outing in his most recent start, but he is still a great cheap play from the probable pitchers on Friday. Burke is 2-3 on the season with a 3.68 ERA, 3.84 FIP and 1.09 WHIP. He has held opponents to a .214 batting average at Rate Field.

He was knocked around by the Mariners in his last start, earning only -0.2 FPTS. In his previous start, he had a season-high 30.5 FPTS, pitching six shutout innings with four hits allowed and eight strikeouts against the Padres. He had posted over 15 FPTS in three straight outings before stumbling against Seattle.

Burke has been solid all season aside from that outing, and he will look to get back on track on Friday night, even in a tough matchup against the Cubs. The weather in Chicago should be pitcher-friendly with winds blowing in from right at 10-15 mph. That makes a big difference in the Windy City, and it should help Burke as a solid value option.

SS Braden Shewmake, Houston Astros vs. Texas Rangers, $2,800

The Astros have been platooning Shewmake and Nick Allen at shortstop without Jeremy Pena (hamstring/neck) and Carlos Correa (ankle). Shewmake has been the primary option against righties and has been making the most of his opportunities. The 28-year-old was traded from the Yankees to the Astros in mid-April as a depth addition, but he has been productive since arriving.

In his 14 games with Houston, Shewmake is 14-for-37 (.378) with a double, three homers, and a .448 wOBA. He had multiple hits in three straight starts and rides an eight-game hitting streak into Friday’s series opener with the Rangers. He has averaged 8.5 FPTS per game during his hitting streak, with at least eight FPTS in four of his last five contests. Texas right-hander Jack Leiter ($7,100) has a 6.14 road ERA this season, and lefties are hitting .278 with a .369 wOBA and four homers against him this season.

OF Will Benson, Cincinnati Reds at Cleveland Guardians, $2,400

The Reds’ offensive struggles have prompted manager Terry Francona to shake up the lineup, moving Benson to the primary leadoff spot against righties. Benson is a big, 27-year-old lefty who has shown impressive power in the past. In his 11 games in May, Benson is 6-for-25 (.240) — but has also worked six walks for a .406 OBP and .373 wOBA. He has a 65% hard-hit rate and 30% barrel rate over his last 14 games and should be a solid leadoff option if he keeps making good contact and getting on base.

Benson and the Reds are in Cleveland to take on right-hander Tanner Bibee ($7,400), who has a 4.17 ERA and 4.39 FIP this year. While he has been better at home, lefties like Benson have hit five of the seven homers Bibee has allowed this year with a .389 SLG against him. Benson is a bargain with lots of potential if he gets another start at leadoff this Friday, and he doesn’t have to do much to be worth considering at this bargain salary just over the minimum.